The Texas Lottery
Read the latest updates on news relating to the Texas lottery, gambling, lottery commission
The Texas Lottery
About This Ongoing Series
Formed in 1991, the Texas Lottery has long been a source of controversy. First, for not funding public education as promised, and later, for acting outside the intent of the law. Over the last decade, the Lottery Commission took actions that many have likened to a “money laundering operation.” In May 2025, the Lottery Commission was abolished by the Texas Legislature, with game oversight sent to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Exposed Podcast
Article Archive
Judge: Texas Lottery Commissioners Must Protect Disputed $83.5M Jackpot
A state judge in Travis County has ordered that Texas Lottery commissioners must hold on to an $83.5 million jackpot won by a woman in February that has not yet been paid out. Earlier this week, District Judge Aurora Martinez Jones ruled that the jackpot could not be...
Why Didn’t Lawmakers Abolish the Texas Lottery? It’s a Lucrative Business
Although Texas lawmakers sent a measure abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission to Gov. Greg Abbott, they stopped short of ending the gambling enterprise entirely. A potential reason? The Texas Lottery is a very lucrative business for its vendors. In fiscal year 2024,...
Texas Lottery Commission Begins Transfer Process to Department of Licensing & Regulation
Texas Lottery commissioners are already in the process of transferring oversight of the lottery to the Department of Licensing and Regulation, less than a week after lawmakers voted to abolish the embattled commission. The early movement is notable, given that Gov....
Senate Sends Measure Abolishing Texas Lottery Commission to Gov. Abbott
The Texas Lottery Commission is set to be abolished, with lottery management moving to the Department of Licensing and Regulation after lawmakers lost faith in the agency that’s overseen the lottery since shortly after its inception. The commission, which has been in...
Analysis: Does IGT Have Insiders at the Texas Lottery Commission?
Before she rose in the ranks to become an influential member of Gary Grief’s inner circle at the Texas Lottery, Nelda Trevino was a well-connected administrative assistant with a documented connection to the state’s lottery vendor lobbyist. In her elevated position,...
Texas Lottery Scandal Widens: Ticket Reseller Executives Enter Pleas in Fraud Case
A long-running federal investigation into a Texas-based lottery ticket reseller has resulted in two guilty pleas by former executives. The pleas follow the February indictment of a Russian businessman. Ryan Dickinson and Matthew Clemenson have pleaded guilty to their...
Texas House Passes Bill to Abolish the Lottery Commission
Ahead of a Tuesday deadline to pass Senate bills this session, the Texas House has approved legislation to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and reform lottery operations after multiple scandals have rocked the agency. Authored by State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood),...
Woman Sues Texas Lottery After $83.5 Million Jackpot Withheld
A woman who won an $83.5 million jackpot earlier this year has sued the Texas Lottery’s top official after waiting months to receive her payout. The anonymous woman, known as “Jane Doe” in her petition filed on May 19, is seeking to finally get the money from Sergio...
Texas House Committee Advances Bill To Abolish Lottery Commission and Overhaul State Lottery
The Texas House State Affairs Committee has taken a major step toward shrinking the state’s gambling landscape, passing Senate Bill 3070 by a 10-4 vote. The legislation, which cleared the Texas Senate unanimously, seeks to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and...